(CU)_British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Ukraine over the weekend, in a show of support to the war-torn nation. During the visit, the British leader pledged tighter sanctions on Russia, along with increased military assistance to Ukraine. He pledged 120 anti-ship missile systems and armored vehicles and confirmed an additional $500 million in World Bank lending, taking the total loan up guarantee from Britain to $1 billion.
In a show of defiance amid Russia’s growing aggression, PM Johnson, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, walked down the streets of Kyiv, the outskirts of which were bombarded by Russian forces late last month. A video of the two leaders walking through the capital city and speaking with locals was shared by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense on Twitter, which said: “This is what democracy looks like”. “This is what courage looks like. This what true friendship between peoples and between nations looks like,” the Ministry tweeted.
The scene attracted praise from many Twitter users who applauded the leaders for their courage in the face of Moscow’s attacks. It was described as a “true display of leadership” by conservative MP Shaun Biley. “We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as they fight for freedom and stand up to tyranny and oppression,” he wrote.
PM Johnson’s visit to Ukraine cemented close ties between the countries which have nurtured since Russia’s invasion of the East European nation in late-February. Time and time again, the British leader has applauded the courage and bravery of the people of Ukraine and he did so over the weekend as well. He said they defied the odds in pushing Russian forces “from the gates of Kyiv”, thereby achieving what he described as “the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century”.
